Prickly acacia is causing more than just a headache for primary producers in regional Queensland.

The invasive weed is on the march in the current dry conditions, with cattle grazing on its seed pods only spreading the plant further.

Originally introduced as an ornamental shade tree in the early 1900s, prickly acacia is now regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia due to the economic and environmental impacts of its infestation.

Prickly acacia is estimated to cost the Queensland grazing industry upwards of $5 million in lost productivity each year.

Queensland Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries biosecurity officer Nathan March is working on controlling the spread of the weed.

"When prickly acacia is at its worst, it virtually eliminates all pasture production," he says.

Mr March today addressed a meeting of graziers near Julia Creek, in north-west Queensland, to update them on the latest research and control methods.

Chemical treatment is regarded as one of the best defence mechanisms during the growth, with the current focus on trialling more efficient foliar mist spraying.

Drones are also being used for targetted spraying in the south-west corner of the state and test results should be available soon.